Potlatch Files Suit Over Tax Valuation

Potlatch Corp. is suing Nez Perce County over the $168.8 million value placed on its Consumer Products Division.

The county commissioners last month reduced the division’s taxable value from $177 million to $168.8 million, but it still is substantially more than its true worth, according to the lawsuit filed in 2nd District Court.

The suit says the true value is far less because of adverse business factors such as competition in the tissue market, limited supplies of wood fiber, depreciation and poor earnings.

The county assessment was excessive in relation to other property in the same class in the county and Idaho, the suit claims.